The Wekiva River, a State Canoe Trail and Outstanding Florida Water, is one of
only two Florida rivers to receive the federal designation of Wild and
Scenic River.

The twenty-two mile portion of the St. Johns River within the aquatic preserve is a
federally-designated American Heritage River. Additionally, much of that section of the St.
Johns River is an Outstanding Florida Water and all of it is a Manatee Protection Zone.

The Wekiva and Middle St. Johns Rivers support extensive floodplains, but
also have significant spring fed components.

Wildlife is abundant, including several endangered and threatened species
such as the West Indian manatee, Florida black bear, wood stork, bald eagle,
and sandhill crane.

Several species typically found in marine environments such as blue crab,
stingray, and needlefish inhabit the St. Johns River, and occasionally
visit the Wekiva.

The springheads at Wekiwa and Rock Springs are two of the few places in
central Florida where limestone that comprises Florida's underground
aquifer is exposed and can be easily observed.

Most of the aquatic preserve is located in a region of ecological transition between two climate
zones - temperate and sub-tropical. This overlap creates an area of high floral and faunal
diversity.

The Wekiva River Aquatic
Preserve Management Plan has been updated. A draft
plan was produced and made available to the public
for review and comment. Three public meetings have been
held to receive
feedback. The plan was updated based on these comments
and was approved by the
Acquisition and Restoration
Council on October 17, 2014.